5.2 All officials and management should constantly be on the lookout for unsafe actions by any participant or equine or unsafe equipment. Such unsafe actions or failure to correct unsafe equipment may result in elimination or disqualification. The judge must eliminate from a class or competition, or disqualify from an event, any entry with an unsafe vehicle, unruly horse(s) or driver clearly out of control.

New Wording:

5 Responsibilities of Drivers and Officials
5.2 The judge must eliminate from a class or competition, or disqualify from an event, any entry with an unsafe vehicle, unruly horse(s) or driver clearly without sufficient control.19 July 18 CDC request: concept OK, grammar needs rewording.

5.3 In the case of an accident, the judge or management may require a safety inspection of the
vehicle and/or harness involved before allowing further use at the event.

New Wording:

5 Responsibilities of Drivers and Officials
5.3 In the case of an accident, a safety inspection by the TD, Judge or event safety inspector, of the vehicle and/or harness and horse(s) involved before allowing further use at the event is required.

1.8 Disabilities – Prior to the arrival at the show grounds, competitors are encouraged to advise
management of any specific accommodations which may not be accounted for in these rules.
Management is encouraged to accommodate these requests wherever possible and to advise the
competitor accordingly. These competitors are expected to provide their own equipment and
personal support staff necessary to participate and compete.

New Wording:

1.8.8 Prior to the arrival at the show grounds, competitors are encouragedREQUIRED to advise management of any specific accommodations (see GR-1.8.4). Management is encouraged to accommodate these requests wherever possible and to advise the competitor accordingly. These competitors are expected to provide their own equipment and personal support staff necessary to participate and compete (see GR-1.8.7).

2Dec18 BoD approved Final Wording: Disabilities and Related Dispensations – When submitting entries, competitors should follow the ADS’ Policies and Procedures with respect to any accommodations they require. Management should accommodate these requests and adhere to the procedures set forth in the ADS’ Policies and Procedures. These competitors are expected to provide their own equipment and personal support staff necessary to participate and compete.

Reason for Change:

This is one of the proposed changes for the existing rules to conform with the new proposed PARA rules. See additional submission of the new PARA rules for completeness.

1.8.7 Special Dispensations – At all ADS competitions, when Athletes are tied to the
carriage (as allowed by dispensation,) the Athlete must have an able-bodied
person (Groom) on the carriage at all times who is capable of releasing the Athlete
in case of emergency. An additional Groom maybe available at ringside and on
any course to assist this Athlete. These Grooms may act in case of emergency and
this will not be sanctioned as outside assistance.Unless allowed by dispensation, additional able-bodied whips or Grooms are
forbidden to assist in rein handling except in an emergency when help must be
given in the interest of safety. Assistance by handling the reins at any other time
will incur penalty points according to the ADS rules.The event Organizer, the Ground Jury or Technical Delegate have the right to
disapprove of unnecessary additional able-bodied persons or Grooms; or to the
position of the persons on the vehicle unless specifically granted in the
dispensation.

1.8.6 Written approval by Organizer – Upon the ADS entry of an athlete requesting
dispensation, the organizer shall acknowledge in writing to the Athlete that the
request has been granted or give full disclosure in writing to the Athlete that the
dispensation request is not possible. If the Athlete chooses to withdraw from the
competition because dispensation is not possible, the Organizer shall provide a
complete refund of all fees for the entry. Even with the approval of the Organizer,
the Ground Jury and Technical Delegate still retain the right to prohibit any entry
that is not capable of driving independently or safely in compliance with the ADS
rules and the granted dispensation.

1.8.5 Dispensation Notice to the Jury – The Organizer shall distribute the Athlete’s
dispensation(s) to each member of the Jury and attach the information to the
written dressage test or any other test required of the Athlete during the
competition.

1.8.4 Dispensation Notice Required upon Entry – All relevant details regarding an
Athlete’s dispensation, to include the Dispensation certificate from the USEF or FEI
listing the required compensating aids, shall be attached to each ADS entry by the
Athlete and noted on the entry form. Failure to attach and notify the Organizer on
the entry form of the need for the Athlete’s dispensation could result in denial of
the dispensation during the competition. See also ADS Rule 1.8 (to be 8.1.8)

1.8.3 Seeking dispensations – To seek USEF or FEI dispensation, the Athlete shall comply
with the requirements of the USEF or FEI to include USEF or FEI membership,
application for dispensation and provide all necessary documentation as
requested. All USEF or FEI dispensations shall remain effective for ADS
competitions for 5 years after they are issued.

1.8.2 Temporary – At ADS-recognized events, Athletes with temporary verifiable
physical impairments who are capable of independently driving, are encouraged
to compete. These Athletes who desire to be granted specific temporary
dispensation during a single competition shall seek written approval directly from
the Organizer before submission of their entry. The written request shall explain
the temporary physical condition with medical documentation to justify the need
for any of the below list dispensations. All Temporary dispensation requests shall
be forwarded by the Organizer to the Ground Jury and Technical Delegated for
final review and approval. Only the following dispensations can be granted with a
temporary dispensation:The use of Pneumatic tires
Another person controlling the whip or brake
An extra person or service animal on the vehicle during the Competition
Salute with a nod of their head only
Ability to inspect the courses with a clearly identified vehicle or bike
Not wearing required gloves or special clothing
The use of two hands for one handed movementsAll temporary dispensations are only effective for a single competition and are
only for a temporary condition that is expect to be resolved within 3 months. No
Athlete is allowed to compete with Temporary dispensations for more than one
competition. No Athlete shall be allowed to compete with Temporary
Dispensations for longer than a 3 month period.

1.8.1 Permanent – At ADS-recognized events, Para Athletes with permanent verifiable
physical impairments who are capable of independently driving, are encouraged
to compete. Dispensation grants are intended to minimize the impact of
impairment on the outcome of the competition by ensuring that an Athlete’s
impairment is relevant to their performance when driving. Athletes who desire to
be granted dispensation during an ADS competition, shall seek a dispensation
determination via the USEF or FEI dispensation system prior to submission of their
ADS entry.

2 Response(s)

I oppose this whole group of interconnected ‘disabiity accommodation’ rule change proposals for the same reasons.

The effect of these changes to the General Rules is to require any competitor who would wish to ask for a reasonable accommodation to become a member of either the USEF or the FEI. This rule change would require you to inform the organizer/management of the needed accommodation; another rule would require you to document the basis for the accommodation; another rule would require you to include an FEI or USEF determination; and, getting the determination requires membership in either USEF or FEI.

“To seek USEF or FEI dispensation, the Athlete shall comply with the requirements of the USEF or FEI to include USEF or FEI membership,application for dispensation and provide all necessary documentation as
requested. All USEF or FEI dispensations shall remain effective for ADS competitions for 5 years after they are issued.”

A competitor in a pleasure driving show, dressage competition or lower level combined driving event organized as an ADS event currently has no need to go to the additional expense of membership in these other organizations. This rule change imposes an extra burden only on members who have a physical condition requiring an accommodation.

I believe that this discrimination is unwise, if not actually prohibited by law.

While I understand the need to have a comprehensive policy/rule on disabled drivers, I agree entirely with Michael Ridge on this particular proposal.
To add to his already well articulated objections I will mention, in our experience where local clubs have actually included disabled drivers with a division of their own, our demographics have proven cognitive disabilities are also needed to be taken into consideration.
The need to meet requirements of the various therapy programs, such as two sets of reins, an able bodied whip mandate etc. must be addressed.
Simply put, the ADS needs to address this with ideas and proposals that not only reflect recognition of the rights of disabled drivers but our own attitudes of inclusiveness, fairness, and encouraging participation .